Dispensing machine

Abstract

A dispensing machine for dispensing items of hot food comprises a freezer compartment for storing items to be dispensed, a heating compartment, a dispensing location, and a transport mechanism for conveying items form the freezer compartment, via the heating compartment, to the dispensing location. The transport mechanism has a flexible transport web to which the items to be dispensed are secured. Driving means advance the web from the freezer compartment to the dispensing location. The web has code markings on it indicating the positions of the food items on the web. A code reader reads the code markings to control the driving means for advancing the web.

I claim: 
     
       1. A dispensing machine for dispensing items of hot food, comprising: a freezer compartment for storing the items to be dispensed,   a microwave oven,   a dispensing location, and   a transport mechanism for conveying items from the freezer compartment, via the microwave oven, to the dispensing location, the transport mechanism comprising a flexible transport web to which the items to be dispensed are secured and driving means for advancing the web from the freezer compartment to the dispensing location, wherein the microwave oven is located above and outside the freezer compartment, and the web of the transport mechanism is arranged to pass out of the freezer compartment and into the microwave oven through an opening in the roof of the freezer compartment, to avoid warm air entering the freezer compartment by convection.   
     
     
       2. A dispensing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the microwave over has an inclined base that is stationary relative to the roof of the freezer compartment and a housing that can be raised from the base to permit items to be introduced into and withdrawn from the microwave oven. 
     
     
       3. A dispensing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing of the microwave over is mechanically linked to a door closing the opening in the roof of the freezer compartment. 
     
     
       4. A dispensing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the web is releasably secured to the items to be dispensed. 
     
     
       5. A dispensing machine as claimed in claim 4, wherein the items are secured to the web by means of plastics H-shaped staples passing though holes in the items and in the web. 
     
     
       6. A dispensing machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein the housing of the microwave oven is mechanically linked to a door closing the opening in the roof of the freezer compartment. 
     
     
       7. A dispensing machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein the web is releasably secured to the items to be dispensed. 
     
     
       8. A dispensing machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein the web is releasably secured to the items to be dispensed. 
     
     
       9. A dispensing machine as claimed in claim 6, wherein the web is releasably secured to the items to be dispensed.